NRL coaches in the firing line as Ivan Cleary waits in the wings

Last year was a good year for the job security of NRL coaches but the availability of Ivan Cleary and uncertainty about Craig Bellamy's future at Melbourne will ensure the pressure intensifies on those responsible for on-field performances this season.

After changes at seven of the NRL's 16 clubs in 2014, last season was one of relative stability as only Penrith (Cleary), Manly (Geoff Toovey) and Newcastle (Rick Stone) felt the need to axe their coach.

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In fact, this season will see the least number of new faces since 2011 when Shane Flanagan (Cronulla), Stephen Kearney (Parramatta) and Anthony Griffin (Brisbane) began their first seasons as a head coach.

Of the 16 coaches at the start of that season, only Bellamy has remained in charge of the same club for the five years since as Flanagan was suspended by the NRL for 12 months over his involvement in the supplements program at the Sharks in 2011.

Bellamy has until May 30 to activate a clause in his contract enabling him to extend his deal with the Storm until 2018 and while the 56-year-old has always indicated he was not interested in coaching anywhere else that won't stop rival clubs again trying to change his mind.

The Warriors were prepared to throw the bank at him after sacking Brian McLennan in 2012 and there has been renewed speculation that they were gearing up for another bid if Andrew McFadden doesn't get the team off to a good start following the recruitment of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke.

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Regardless of what Bellamy decides about his future, Cleary's shadow already looms large over a number of NRL coaches and the shock off-season sacking of a mentor considered one of the best in the game shows that very few can consider their job to be safe unless they get results.

Even the likes of Des Hasler, Trent Robinson and Michael Maguire, whose teams have won premierships or played in grand finals and been consistently among the top teams of recent seasons, face increased pressure this season, while Parramatta and Manly's impressive recruitment drives have created high expectations for Brad Arthur and Trent Barrett.

Others like Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor and Gold Coast's Neil Henry will begin the season with low expectations for their teams but that won't safeguard their jobs and the speculation will intensify if they don't win games early.

UNDER THE PUMP

Jason Taylor (Wests Tigers)

Taylor has made some dangerous enemies over his attempt to move NSW Origin hooker Robbie Farah on from the club at the end of last season and he will need the Tigers to start the season well or the pressure will increase severely.

Andrew McFadden (Warriors)

The fact that McFadden is now the longest serving of the three Warriors coaches since Cleary's departure in 2011 shows the club doesn't tolerate failure, and with Tuivasa-Sheck and Luke on board, he can't afford to let the team fall away as they did last season after losing Shaun Johnson to injury.

Neil Henry (Gold Coast)

The season-ending injury to boom halfback Kane Elgy, James Roberts' departure to Brisbane and Daly Cherry-Evans' backflip to stay at Manly have left Henry up against it but those factors will count for little if the club is at the foot of the table for most of the season.

PRESSURE RISING

Trent Robinson (Sydney Roosters)

Sydney Roosters have won the minor premiership in all three seasons that Robinson has been in charge but that success has created expectations that have been unfulfilled by failing to qualify for the grand final since 2013's triumph over Manly.

Michael Maguire (South Sydney)

After overseeing an end to the Rabbitohs' 43-year premiership drought in 2014 it was thought that Maguire would be in charge for as long as he wanted. But 12 months is a long time in football and with the return of Sam Burgess, and Shane Richardson as general manager of football, Souths will be expected to again be premiership contenders.

Des Hasler (Canterbury)

In the four years since Hasler joined the Bulldogs they have been in two grand finals but are yet to win a premiership and there was disappointment within the club over the team's performance last season, given their playing roster and training facilities.

Brad Arthur (Parramatta)

Now in his third season with the Eels, Arthur finally has the roster he wanted and the signing of Kieran Foran, Michael Jennings, Michael Gordon and Beau Scott have raised expectations the club will be genuinely vying for a premiership they last won in 1986.

Paul McGregor (St George Illawarra)

For many the Dragons were the biggest surprise packets of 2015 but after making the finals and restructuring their roster to add size and depth the expectations are a lot higher and it is unlikely McGregor can afford another seven-game losing streak as happened midway through last season.

Ricky Stuart (Canberra)

Stuart largely silenced his critics by taking the Raiders to 10th place last season but they were probably the NRL's most inconsistent team, and with the recruitment of Aidan Sezer, Elliott Whitehead and Joey Leilua there will be expectations that they at least make the finals in 2016.

NEW BLOOD

Trent Barrett (Manly)

After the Sea Eagles' biggest recruitment drive since their famed "silvertail" days, Barrett will have little time to adapt to the rigours of NRL coaching in his debut season at a club used to making the finals each year.

Nathan Brown (Newcastle)

The former St George Illawarra coach is considered a better mentor now than when he last worked in the NRL and has enjoyed success in Super League but will be expected to quickly turn around the fortunes of the Knights after the club finished with the wooden spoon last season.

Anthony Griffin (Penrith)

The sacking of Cleary has put everyone at Penrith on notice this season that no excuses – not even a huge injury toll – will be allowed, and Griffin will be expected to quickly get the best out of the club's talented but young roster.

BREATHE EASY

Paul Green (North Queensland)

Taking the Cowboys to a premiership in his second year has ensured Green has a big future but the fact he knocked back the Queensland Origin job suggests he knows how hard it will be for the club to defend the title in 2016.

Wayne Bennett (Brisbane)

The veteran coach proved he is still one of the best in the business by taking the Broncos to the grand final in his first year back at the club, while Newcastle came last in his absence.

Craig Bellamy (Melbourne)

How long Bellamy stays in charge of the Storm will be up to him, and after initially suggesting 2016 would be his last season he is expected to remain for a further two years but that won't stop rival clubs from trying to tempt him.

Shane Flanagan (Cronulla)

After a season out of the game due to his 12-month NRL ban, Flanagan returned last year to take the Sharks to sixth position and has strengthened his roster for 2016 with the signing of James Maloney, Joseph Paulo and Chad Townsend.